Gunman killed three workers at veterans facility

A standoff at the Veterans Home of California ended badly after a lone combat veteran with a rifle died along with three hostages.

Sources confirmed that three female hostages and a suspected gunman were found dead after the day-long standoff at the nation’s largest veterans home, located in Northern California.

The gunman and hostages were found dead shortly before 6 p.m., when officers stormed into the room at a military veterans home to end a standoff that lasted nearly eight hours beginning when the armed assailant slipped into an employee going-away party.

Bob Golick said that his daughter-in-law was among those taken hostage and she called family members Friday afternoon to say the gunman was a combat veteran recently kicked out of a treatment program at the facility.

The coroner’s office identified the victims as 42-year-old Jennifer Golick, 29-year-old Jennifer Gonzales and 48-year-old Christine Loeber. Two of the mental health workers killed by a former U.S. soldier, Golick and Gonzales, were psychologists who treated veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome and the third victim, Loeber, was the program’s the executive director.

“This is a tragic piece of news, one that we were really hoping we wouldn’t have to come before the public to give,” Childs said.

Authorities identified the gunman as 36-year-old Albert Wong, of Sacramento, who two weeks ago left The Pathway Home, a nonprofit rehabilitation center that aids veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Department of Defense records show Wong had a decorated U.S. Army career and was awarded four medals, including an Afghanistan campaign medal with two campaign stars. He was also awarded an Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle.

Records showed Wong served as in the infantry during three years of active service in the U.S. Army ending August 2013. Wong served one year in Afghanistan.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic situation in Yountville and mourn the loss of three incredible women who cared for our Veterans,” President Trump said in a post on Twitter.

Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin also gave his condolences late Friday night. “We are deeply saddened and affected by the tragic outcome of the hostage situation at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville and extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones involved,” Shulkin said.

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) ordered flags flown at half-staff at the capitol in memory of the victims.